The Disney Legends logo in gold text against a black background. Sparkles and gold lines surround the text.

Meet the 2024 Class of Disney Legends

For nearly four decades, the Disney Legends Awards program has honored gifted animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, business leaders, and more for the significant impact they’ve had on the Disney legacy. This year, we’ll be honoring the 2024 class of Disney Legends during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Sunday, August 11, at 5 p.m. …

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2019 Disney Legends

Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo

UPDATED JULY 8, 2019 By D23 Team At every D23 Expo, we gather together to celebrate a new class of Disney Legends. The Disney Legends Awards ceremony—just one of the highlights of the ultimate Disney fan event—has honored many of Disney’s brightest stars and notable luminaries, starting with Fred MacMurray in 1987. Since then, The …

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Mickey Mouse

Read Leonard Maltin’s Tribute to Dave Smith

By D23 Team Legendary movie historian Leonard Maltin recently wrote a touching tribute to Disney Legend Dave Smith, recounting an unforgettable article Dave wrote about Walt Disney back in 1981. Check out Leonard’s website for a full look at the article, here.

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Dave Smith memories

Fond Memories of Dave Smith from the Walt Disney Archives

By: Walt Disney Archives Staff When Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith passed away, he left a legacy that will stand the test of time. Even more than that, anyone who was fortunate enough to meet Dave and get to know him will forever remember his unparalleled knowledge of The Walt Disney …

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harriet burns

Disneyland’s First Female Imagineer Helped Create Your Favorite Attractions

By Jocelyn Buhlman When we think of classic Disneyland attractions, many minds wander to haunted houses, salty old pirates, and children of the world. One Imagineer had a hand in bringing all of them to life: Disney Legend Harriet Burns, the first woman ever hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative capacity. A “Model” Imagineer …

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Disney Legends for 2017

Here Are the New Legends Who Will Be Honored at D23 Expo

By D23 Team The Disney Legends Award ceremony is one of many highlights during D23 Expo, and we’re excited to share this year’s class of legendary honorees! Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Disney Legends Award was first given to Fred MacMurray in 1987, and has since honored 276 Disney Legends (including this year’s …

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Burny Mattinson

5 Fascinating Facts—Disney Legend Burny Mattinson

By Steven Vagnini “Animation is 75 percent thinking and 25 percent drawing,” Disney Legend and Walt Disney Animation Studios animation director Burny Mattinson once said. “Everything must be carefully thought out first. Our animators not only have to think like actors but have to figure out how to get that performance across on paper and …

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